I can’t possibly see Taylor playing another snap for the Browns, concussion or not. Mayfield was better in almost every way. Most important was that he went through progressions quicker, and pulled the trigger when he needed to, without forcing the ball. Props also go to the OL who improved as the night went on. But knowing your QB can deliver when needed helped that.

Props also to Greg Joseph. 2/2 on FGs and 2/2 on extra points. Loved the way the Browns fans gave him a standing ovation after kicking a FG...in warmups!

Now, what a lot of people aren’t talking about enough is the Browns defense. They looked tough, and legit. Myles Garrett was almost continuously doubled up, yet he still caused a lot of disruption. Gregg Williams has that D playing aggressive and increasingly confident. They are currently ranked 14th (6th in yards per play), but they also played the Steelers and Saints before this, with sketchy help from the offense.

Good assessment of Taylor vs Mayfield. Likewise regarding the Browns defense. I'll add, inserting Mayfield seemed to pick up the intensity of both offense AND defense. Almost as tho other players sensed they had a legit chance to win with Baker at QB, so played with more motivation. When Baker entered, Browns fans obviously became more lively and that prolly helped get the players going and little harder too.

Looking ahead to week 4, CLE visits OAK. The Browns "D" is better than the Raiders "D". But through 2 games, the Raiders "O" is better than the Browns "O" HAS BEEN WITH TAYLOR AT QB. If Baker Mayfield starts for the Browns at Oakland, I bet the Browns win that game.

If the Browns win away vs Oakland then beyond week 4 could be promising except they have a really hard schedule after Oakland (BAL, LAC, @TB, @PIT, KC, ATL, @CIN, @HOU, CAR, @DEN, CIN, @BAL). If the Browns can win around half their games that will be a huge success for their season. Funny, after the Browns win last night you'd have thought by their fans reaction that they'd won the SB!

Alpe d'Huez wrote:I can’t possibly see Taylor playing another snap for the Browns, concussion or not. Mayfield was better in almost every way. Most important was that he went through progressions quicker, and pulled the trigger when he needed to, without forcing the ball. Props also go to the OL who improved as the night went on. But knowing your QB can deliver when needed helped that.

Props also to Greg Joseph. 2/2 on FGs and 2/2 on extra points. Loved the way the Browns fans gave him a standing ovation after kicking a FG...in warmups!

Now, what a lot of people aren’t talking about enough is the Browns defense. They looked tough, and legit. Myles Garrett was almost continuously doubled up, yet he still caused a lot of disruption. Gregg Williams has that D playing aggressive and increasingly confident. They are currently ranked 14th (6th in yards per play), but they also played the Steelers and Saints before this, with sketchy help from the offense.

Carlos Hyde was also a good signing for the Browns. He wasn't performing for the 49ers at least under Shanahan. He is looking much better so far this season.

Alpe d'Huez wrote:I can’t possibly see Taylor playing another snap for the Browns, concussion or not. Mayfield was better in almost every way. Most important was that he went through progressions quicker, and pulled the trigger when he needed to, without forcing the ball. Props also go to the OL who improved as the night went on. But knowing your QB can deliver when needed helped that.

Props also to Greg Joseph. 2/2 on FGs and 2/2 on extra points. Loved the way the Browns fans gave him a standing ovation after kicking a FG...in warmups!

Now, what a lot of people aren’t talking about enough is the Browns defense. They looked tough, and legit. Myles Garrett was almost continuously doubled up, yet he still caused a lot of disruption. Gregg Williams has that D playing aggressive and increasingly confident. They are currently ranked 14th (6th in yards per play), but they also played the Steelers and Saints before this, with sketchy help from the offense.

Carlos Hyde was also a good signing for the Browns. He wasn't performing for the 49ers at least under Shanahan. He is looking much better so far this season.

Carlos has always been a good back. I would liked to have had him in Seattle, but there was this guy named Marshawn.

It sounds like from the preliminary reports it's an ACL and maybe other structural damage. Nothing short of catastrophic for the 49ers...CJ Beathard to the rescue? I said in an earlier post that I had a feeling this would be a bad year for injuries.

On the brighter side...how about the Gunslinger! Sets all-time record for TDs through 3 games to start the season with 13 TD passes breaking Peyton Manning's 2013 mark. Wow!...this kid is the real deal! And KC is 3-0 to boot! An offensive juggernaut where Mahomes can spread the field out with that cannon of his. This may be the team of the AFC. After all those dreaded years with Smith they may finally have a legit SB contender with the Gunslinger at the helm.

I was in the Toyota for 8 hours yesterday so only saw the night game (listened to as much as I could get in nowhereland MT and ID).Shockers of the week: DET over NE and BUF over MIN.MIA, KC, LAR 3-0...can TB join them tonight?

Nomad wrote:It sounds like from the preliminary reports it's an ACL and maybe other structural damage. Nothing short of catastrophic for the 49ers...CJ Beathard to the rescue? I said in an earlier post that I had a feeling this would be a bad year for injuries.

On the brighter side...how about the Gunslinger! Sets all-time record for TDs through 3 games to start the season with 13 TD passes breaking Peyton Manning's 2013 mark. Wow!...this kid is the real deal! And KC is 3-0 to boot! An offensive juggernaut where Mahomes can spread the field out with that cannon of his. This may be the team of the AFC. After all those dreaded years with Smith they may finally have a legit SB contender with the Gunslinger at the helm.

Mahomes is very impressive. The Chiefs this year kinda remind of the Falcons from two seasons ago. Not only does Mahomes have the arm he has the moves. One of the TDs he threw on the run while being harassed on all sides was probably the pick of them. Chiefs defense is another matter but with the way the offense is playing it's not a huge concern at the moment.

This has to have been one of the most topsy turvy weekends in memory, and shows just how much parity there is in the NFL. I was 7-7 with my picks, which is terrible straight up.

Tony Romo was right about Buffalo and the Vikings, calling the game a "trap" game for the Vikings before it even started. And I'll say what I did about Mayfield in Cleveland about Allen in Buffalo. I can't see Nate Peterman taking another snap for the Bills this season. It's Allen all the way from here on out. He just has a great arm.

Belicheck rarely, rarely loses to his disciples, but the Lions had the Pats number, specifically their offense. It's like Matt Patrician knew what plays the Pats would play on offense and how to stop Brady. Amazing. Two games back of Miami, who is 3-0 against soft competition, but they are consistent and playing well.

That Saints Falcons game with something. All the talk about Tom Brady playing so well in his old age, well, what about Drew Brees? He made better throws, and played a lot tougher than Tom too, and he just keeps on rolling, and setting records.

After some really nice wins, the Jags lose to...the rebuilding Titans? At Home??

Adrien Peterson is 25 again, and Alex Smith completed only 12 passes, but they were early, and deadly. Rodgers still has to be somewhat hurt, but their OL really had troubles with the Washington front 7.

Nice to see Wentz back for the Eagles, who hold strong in that division. Who thought Seattle's offense would have no problem with the Cowboys? And the Giants took what looked like an easy win.

Who thought the Texans would be 0-3, with Watson struggling, and Watt with no sacks? Raiders 0-3 as well, poor defense (gosh, I wonder why?) but offense almost lazy as well.

Mahomes, and that KC offense are just explosive! Really fun to watch. Even if their defense is porous, they are so potent on offense they can stick with any team or catch up. They look like the easy division winner, and 11+ wins.

Best team in the NFL right now is the Rams. They look almost dominant at every aspect of the game. And while they bent a few times against a potent Charger team, they never broke, or even bent for long.

As to the 49ers, and Garoppolo, I only hope it's not as bad as Bridgewater and he "only" misses this season. I don't know that trading to get Tyrod Taylor, RG3 (or Bridgewater) or picking up Jay Cutler out of retirement, or a 38 year old Matt Schuab is the solution. It almost makes more sense to know that CJ Beathard played okay last year (as a rookie), to run with him, and find a vet to come in and start learning the system as a backup. Now, the elephant in the room is Colin Kaepernick, but I don't see that happening. Shanahan said he wanted QBs that played a similar style for his system (3 step drop, quick read, pocket passer), and Colin didn't fit that. Also, Colin would have to drop his grievance lawsuit, then come into camp, get into football shape, learn their new system, establish himself without being a distraction (impossible, even if the locker room welcomes him), and then, presuming Beathard struggles, somehow rise up and play well, even though he hasn't taken a snap in years, literally. Well 2 years, when the 49ers went 2-14. Kaepernick's next game will be in the Alliance league (AAF) or XFL, where any distraction he creates would be welcome publicity for those fledgling leagues.

"Chosen" Rosen named the starter vs Seattle. It didn't take long - just 3 games and Bradford is benched. Lol. Now all of the "Big 4" in this year's draft are starting by week #4. I figured it would be sooner than later.

Alpe d'Huez wrote:Mahomes, and that KC offense are just explosive! Really fun to watch. Even if their defense is porous, they are so potent on offense they can stick with any team or catch up. They look like the easy division winner, and 11+ wins.

Best team in the NFL right now is the Rams. They look almost dominant at every aspect of the game. And while they bent a few times against a potent Charger team, they never broke, or even bent for long.

looking forward to Rams/KC, although it is a way off yet (mid-Nov), so anything could happen by then...

This has to have been one of the most topsy turvy weekends in memory, and shows just how much parity there is in the NFL. I was 7-7 with my picks, which is terrible straight up.

Tony Romo was right about Buffalo and the Vikings, calling the game a "trap" game for the Vikings before it even started. And I'll say what I did about Mayfield in Cleveland about Allen in Buffalo. I can't see Nate Peterman taking another snap for the Bills this season. It's Allen all the way from here on out. He just has a great arm.

Belicheck rarely, rarely loses to his disciples, but the Lions had the Pats number, specifically their offense. It's like Matt Patrician knew what plays the Pats would play on offense and how to stop Brady. Amazing. Two games back of Miami, who is 3-0 against soft competition, but they are consistent and playing well.

That Saints Falcons game with something. All the talk about Tom Brady playing so well in his old age, well, what about Drew Brees? He made better throws, and played a lot tougher than Tom too, and he just keeps on rolling, and setting records.

After some really nice wins, the Jags lose to...the rebuilding Titans? At Home??

Adrien Peterson is 25 again, and Alex Smith completed only 12 passes, but they were early, and deadly. Rodgers still has to be somewhat hurt, but their OL really had troubles with the Washington front 7.

Nice to see Wentz back for the Eagles, who hold strong in that division. Who thought Seattle's offense would have no problem with the Cowboys? And the Giants took what looked like an easy win.

Who thought the Texans would be 0-3, with Watson struggling, and Watt with no sacks? Raiders 0-3 as well, poor defense (gosh, I wonder why?) but offense almost lazy as well.

Mahomes, and that KC offense are just explosive! Really fun to watch. Even if their defense is porous, they are so potent on offense they can stick with any team or catch up. They look like the easy division winner, and 11+ wins.

Best team in the NFL right now is the Rams. They look almost dominant at every aspect of the game. And while they bent a few times against a potent Charger team, they never broke, or even bent for long.

As to the 49ers, and Garoppolo, I only hope it's not as bad as Bridgewater and he "only" misses this season. I don't know that trading to get Tyrod Taylor, RG3 (or Bridgewater) or picking up Jay Cutler out of retirement, or a 38 year old Matt Schuab is the solution. It almost makes more sense to know that CJ Beathard played okay last year (as a rookie), to run with him, and find a vet to come in and start learning the system as a backup. Now, the elephant in the room is Colin Kaepernick, but I don't see that happening. Shanahan said he wanted QBs that played a similar style for his system (3 step drop, quick read, pocket passer), and Colin didn't fit that. Also, Colin would have to drop his grievance lawsuit, then come into camp, get into football shape, learn their new system, establish himself without being a distraction (impossible, even if the locker room welcomes him), and then, presuming Beathard struggles, somehow rise up and play well, even though he hasn't taken a snap in years, literally. Well 2 years, when the 49ers went 2-14. Kaepernick's next game will be in the Alliance league (AAF) or XFL, where any distraction he creates would be welcome publicity for those fledgling leagues.

Kaep won't be back nor will Hoyer who was dropped for Beathard. There are question marks about all of the available QBs so I think the 49ers will stick with the young guy. Injury concerns about RGlll and Bridgewater, motivation concerns about Cutler, Kaep not a system fit and been out for too long without even considering the baggage of the politics, Manziel no chance, Osweiler worth a shot ? Probably not. Jimmy's option of not running over the sideline and taking the hit actually reminded me of one of RGlll's injuries. Silly. The 49ers number three QB Mullen went okay in the preseason so if the season continues to worsen he will probably get the call up. As bad as the QB situation is at the moment for the 49ers, their defense is a bigger issue. 35 points in one half ? Their failure to draft defensive quality is coming back to haunt them and the O line issues have been continual. Don't even mention the secondary and now Sherman and Jimmy Ward are injured again.

Last edited by movingtarget on 25 Sep 2018 13:47, edited 1 time in total.

Good point on that run by JG looking a lot like those runs that almost ruined RG3's career. Silly. Officially an ACL tear. $46m down the drain, so to speak. I wouldn't blame their defense too much, they were playing against the most high powered offense in the NFL right now, or one of them, in KC.

Mahomes numbers are pretty sick right now. 13 TD's, no picks. 66.7 completion percentage. 137.4 passer rating. 9.63 yards per attempt (2nd in league, more on this in a moment). His QBR is 90.7, tops in the league.

Nomad - Good call on the QBs. Though having watched some of the Arizona game, Rosen didn't really outplay Bradford, who did make some very good throws, but he at least moves better than Sam, that's for sure. I also think the Cardinals will throw deeper with Rosen in there. Sam has a very meager 5.00 yard per attempt average, worst in the league. The bigger thing is that when Josh was in there, he wasn't rattled. They play Seattle next week, then SF, which may help him out with some confidence.

In more bad news for the Falcons, safety Ricardo Allen is out for the season with a torn Achilles. This comes just two weeks after their other safety, Keanu Neal's season came to an end. Linebacker Deion Jones, who lead the team in tackles two years ago and also made the Pro Bowl, is also on IR and will be for some weeks. Arguably their three best players on defense, gone.

The Steelers started looking like themselves, as did Tampa, at least on defense.

The Buccaneers are mum on who will start next week at QB. I find that fascinating. Fitzpatrick has thrown for over 400 yards in three straight games, an NFL record. Last night he got burned on interceptions, but so far, he's had a great year. I think what's been most impressive has been his ability to get zip on the ball, or any down field accuracy. He had one of the weaker arms in the NFL for some time. Now, he's at least average in both, if not above that. In fact, he leads the league in yards per pass attempt, if you can believe that, at 11.8, and there's a huge drop to Mahomes at 9.6, with a slew of players just under him in the 9's and 8s. Coupled with his ability to make quick decisions and strike, why not continue to roll with Fitz? Then again, maybe Koetter things Winston can do the same?

Alpe d'Huez wrote:Good point on that run by JG looking a lot like those runs that almost ruined RG3's career. Silly. Officially an ACL tear. $46m down the drain, so to speak. I wouldn't blame their defense too much, they were playing against the most high powered offense in the NFL right now, or one of them, in KC.

Mahomes numbers are pretty sick right now. 13 TD's, no picks. 66.7 completion percentage. 137.4 passer rating. 9.63 yards per attempt (2nd in league, more on this in a moment). His QBR is 90.7, tops in the league.

Nomad - Good call on the QBs. Though having watched some of the Arizona game, Rosen didn't really outplay Bradford, who did make some very good throws, but he at least moves better than Sam, that's for sure. I also think the Cardinals will throw deeper with Rosen in there. Sam has a very meager 5.00 yard per attempt average, worst in the league. The bigger thing is that when Josh was in there, he wasn't rattled. They play Seattle next week, then SF, which may help him out with some confidence.

In more bad news for the Falcons, safety Ricardo Allen is out for the season with a torn Achilles. This comes just two weeks after their other safety, Keanu Neal's season came to an end. Linebacker Deion Jones, who lead the team in tackles two years ago and also made the Pro Bowl, is also on IR and will be for some weeks. Arguably their three best players on defense, gone.

The Steelers started looking like themselves, as did Tampa, at least on defense.

The Buccaneers are mum on who will start next week at QB. I find that fascinating. Fitzpatrick has thrown for over 400 yards in three straight games, an NFL record. Last night he got burned on interceptions, but so far, he's had a great year. I think what's been most impressive has been his ability to get zip on the ball, or any down field accuracy. He had one of the weaker arms in the NFL for some time. Now, he's at least average in both, if not above that. In fact, he leads the league in yards per pass attempt, if you can believe that, at 11.8, and there's a huge drop to Mahomes at 9.6, with a slew of players just under him in the 9's and 8s. Coupled with his ability to make quick decisions and strike, why not continue to roll with Fitz? Then again, maybe Koetter things Winston can do the same?

I thought the Steelers/Bucs game was very entertaining. Fitz I noticed likes to loft the ball with his long throws. The last TD it worked beautifully but yes the intercepts beat them. I think they should stick with Fitz for the moment. Nice stiff arm by Vance McDonald for a long TD.

NFL.com has their power rankings in, and I love this quote from analyst Eliot Harrison:

Nobody knows anything. That's what I keep hearing, but I will simply say everybody is beating everybody. Consider: The Lions beat the Patriots, but were beaten by the 49ers, who lost to the Vikings, who lost to the Bills, who were blown out by the Ravens, who fell to the Bengals, who got handled by the Panthers, who lost to the Falcons, who lost to the Saints, who dropped one to the Bucs AND should've dropped another to the Browns, who just Baker-d the Jets, who absolutely blasted the Lions. Huh?

You need to really read between the lines to figure out who may be good, and who may not. For example, as I noted earlier the Dolphins are 3-0, but against questionable opposition. But you can't blame them for that. The Chargers are 1-2. But they lost close games to the Chiefs and Rams...without their best defensive player (Bosa) even suited up.

Vikings play at Rams on Thursday. Despite getting blown out by the Bills, Minnesota remains one of the best teams in the league, so this should be a really good game. But Thursday games are always wonky.

In regard to what was said on nfl.com, that's why I don't like to make too much of anything until after week 4, unless it's something like 9ers losing JG for the season (man, that sucks for him, & probably them unless Shanny & Beathard can pull some rabbit out of the hat).

I agree with that. In fact, back on September 6, just before the season started I wrote:

Alpe d'Huez wrote:...If you look at the entire schedule through week 4, it's ripe for some head scratching results and standings just a month into the season. We easily could see teams that are 3-1 not make the playoffs, or vice-versa, maybe even 4-0/0-4. As well as some lopsided stats from teams, and players that throw a lot of experts and analysts off.

Granted, that happens many seasons, but the scheduling this year made that even more so. Still, I didn't predict that the Bills would beat the Vikings, let along basically blow them out.

The 49ers are steadfast that CJ Bethard is their guy. The team seems unanimous in saying he's more mature, and more confident than last year, when he didn't really play that bad, and ready to go. No change in gameplan, which is Shanahan's style. So confident they are, they worked out Tom Savage, Landry Jones, EJ Manuel, TJ Yates, Kyle Allen, Kellen Clemens, and Matt Simms...then decided to promote Nick Mullens, who has never played a snap (though did okay in preseason games) from the practice squad. He said it was possible they'd pick up a third QB, but won't now because of roster space. I wonder who gets the job on the practice squad?

MIN@LAR - Both the Vikings and Rams are all in for this season. It's Super Bowl or nothing. There is no way the Vikings will play as bad as they did against the Bills, but the Rams are the most stacked, deep team in the NFL right now, at every position. And they're at home.

One factoid. In just three games Kirk Cousins has made more money than Jared Goff will the entire year. As a matter of fact, when Cousins took a single snap in game 1, he was guaranteed $25m in money! On the flip side of this, while the Rams handed our serious cash for Todd Gurley (4 years, $57m), the Vikings are getting a screaming deal on RB Dalvin Cook, who will make a paltry $754k this year. One interesting thought on Gurley's contract is that it's heavily stacked early on, nearly $22m for this year alone. That number drops to "just" $13m in 2020, and $9m in 2021. Why would the Rams do this? Because they know they'll have to eventually pay Goff, and there's a chance that Gurley may age a little, as that happens to RBs more than other players, making him more trade or even cut friendly.

Anyone over maybe 40 might remember when Eddie DeBartolo Jr. owned, and Carmine Policy ran the 49ers in the 80's. They were wizards at working with players to get contracts worked out like this. DeBartolo tried his best to treat players like family, finding what could work for them, and what could then help the team in return. Policy had a judicial doctorate on business law from Georgetown. They were so good at making contracts work, it raised a lot of suspicion (and jealousy) of other teams. Now, it seems, nearly every team tries to mimic what they did to at least some degree. Witness the Rams with Gurley (and I presume Goff in a year or two).

Interesting that Jed York is now the controlling owner of the 49ers, slowly taking over from his father. Jed is Eddie DeBartolo's nephew, and probably the closest to him in personality, and viewed as a very compassionate man. He is heavily vested in social justice and education. In fact, he actually supported Colin Kaepernick and stood by his right to protest. Reflecting his generation in a sense as the first "Millennial" owner, and youngest team owner in the NFL.